Tabula with a master of beasts

Inventory number: FT 154
Photo Michel Lechien, Musée royal de Mariemont
Photo Michel Lechien, Musée royal de Mariemont
Photo Marie Mones

In the upper section, a figure adorned with a diadem and collar tames two lions. In the lower part, a panther with a character on either side. Dotted around the background spaces are stylised plant and geometric motifs.

Origin:

Egypt

Date:

6th - 8th century

Material:

Linen and wool

Dimensions:

Warp: 33 cm, weft: 43 cm

Comparisons:

Coll. J-F Bouvier, inv. M 11: weaving.
Cleveland Art Museum, inv. 1950.146 and Cooper Hewitt, New York, inv. 1902-1-220: both fragments of a silk textile representing the same motif (12th -13th century).

Provenance:

Collection Coptic textiles Fill-Trevisiol: donation

Location:

Musée royal de Mariemont

Polychrome woollen tapestry

I. No ground weave


II. Tapestry areas

Warp:

Blue wool S: 10-12/cm

Weft:

red wool S: 44/cm; green wool S: 72/cm; ochre, yellow, brown, orange and different nuances of blue: 28-30/cm

Weave:

weft-faced tabby

Special techniques:

slit tapestry, eccentric weft, dovetailing; selvedges: 2 units of 3 warps each;
Tapestry woven fragments of other ancient textiles are inserted to fill missing parts. Some parts are even applied with the warp in the wrong direction

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